The President and CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council thinks changes to the 45F employer tax credit may help with the local child care crisis. He is part of a recently formed child care alliance, led by YWCA McLean County and including representatives from Birth to Five Illinois.

“Birth to Five Illinois: Region 53 is working to build stronger connections in community, to look at what is working well, where families face challenges, and how we all can work together to make raising young children a little easier. “

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 21 Team members highlight the need for more child care in this news segment on the One Shawnee Summit!

Birth to Five Illinois Team members from Region 26 (Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler Counties) and Region 33 (Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Counties) presented at the Tri-State Development Summit.

Congratulations to Malia Jones, Region 16 (DeKalb County) Family & Community Engagement Specialist, for being a 2026 Rising Leader Award Recipient!

Birth to Five Illinois in Region 51 receives an award from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois along with eight other nonprofits acknowledged for working to improve the health of the state.

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 partnered with StarNet Regions I & III and Community Child Care Connection to provide Pyramid Model Training for local child care directors.

See how Paul Larson, Region 26 Council Manager, says that Birth to Five Illinois is using local data for change in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler Counties.

In this Letter to the Editor by Jennifer Miller, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 Administrative Support, she describes how her Facebook group management supports the organization’s mission.

“The scavenger hunt is a fun reminder that learning happens everywhere—not just in classrooms,” said Bridget English, Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Illinois Region 1..

Vermilion Advantage is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to connect employers and families with Early Childhood resources and explore solutions to help address the child care challenges facing Vermilion County’s local workforce and community.

Ashlyn Horn, Region 8 Administrative Support, goes live on WIFR to discuss how her Birth to Five Illinois Team uses Facebook to helps connect families with local resources and events in Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties!

Read updates from Birth to Five Illinois: Region 53 (Mason, Tazewell and Woodford Counties) in this Mason County Democrat article!

Birth to Five Illinois returns to WEIU’s “Issues & Attitudes” with Angie Hunt (Region 11) and Ann Oswalt (Region 12).

Watch Melissa Breeden (Region 17 Council Manager) providing public comment about the slot gap in Pontiac and what Birth to Five Illinois is doing to improve local child care access.

Emily Cummings, Region 49 Council Manager, joins Senator Tammy Duckworth at a Labor Day roundtable to discuss child care affordability and access issues for familes in Rock Island County.

Janice Crow (Region 20 Council Manager) provides Birth to Five Illinois updates at the Mt. Carmel City Council meeting.

Listen to this NPR interview with Ashley Earlies, our Region 51 Council Manager, supporting families with young children in Menard and Sangamon Counties!

As part of their Councils’ efforts to support and increase the Early Childhood workforce, Birth to Five Illinois is co-hosting a free child care clinic in the Springfield (Region 51).

Birth to Five Illinois is co-hosting the Stronger Together Recovery & Community Festival in September in Sangamon County! Hear representatives from Sangamon County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) talk about the upcoming event!